China's Lin Dan stuttered in the defence of his All England badminton title on Wednesday with an 16-21 21-8 21-11 opening-round victory over Anup Sridhar of India.

Sridhar had been expected to test the top seed after stretching him at last year's world championships where the Indian had earlier beaten Olympic champion Taufik Hidayat of Indonesia.

But after taking the first game Sridhar could not follow through and eventually lost in 42 minutes.

There was a major surprise in the women's event where Lin's girlfriend and defending champion Xie Xingfang lost her first match against unseeded Pui Yin Yip of Hong Kong 22-20 21-19.

Xie has won the All England title for the last three years but bowed out in 43 minutes to her unheralded opponent.

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